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Friday, December 21, 2007

Mike Huckabee has turned out to be a disappointment for me. First because his position on border security/immigration became more clearly understood as liberal. Next, the idiotic slap at Rush Limbaugh of all people! Sheesh, doesn't he know that he needs to BUILD a constituency, not alienate one?

I'm sad that someone so firmly on board with right-to-life is not going to be my candidate.

It seems to be the season for people to be offended. Offended by anything remotely suggestive of Christ or Christianity during the Christmas Season. Case in point the preposterous flap about Gov. Huckabee's supposed cross in the background of his video Christmas message. Even if it were intended--so what?

So to be right in step with my fellow Americans I will list things that offend me.

1. I am offended that cultists in America and around the world identify their deity with mine. If you want to make up a religion, don't smear the name of the real Creator with your false doctrines.

2. I am offended that "artists" are allowed to treat symbols of my faith with monstrous disrespect.

3. I am offended that Muslims consider my Jewish brothers and sisters as wretched non-humans deserving of death, and then my country's leaders say Islam is a "religion of peace."

4. I am offended that Islam subjugates women, forces them to genital mutilation, makes them wear a black tent with eye-slits and calls that respecting women.

5. I am offended that "our friends" the Saudis don't allow Churches, Bibles, or any free exercise of religion, but we allow their citizens to come over here study to be pilots and ram planes into buildings.

6. I am offended that my nation and religion are villified around the world when we contribute hugely more than any nation both in government and private donations to folks in need. Whether it is tsunami aid, medical help, education or just plain food and money--USA gives more that most countries produce.

Thanks to Christian church ministries, many of the suffering people in the world are given food, medication and hope. All funded privately. I don't see Muslim countries or even European countries making any impact in this regard.

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Over 400 prominent scientists from more than two dozen countries recently voiced significant objections to major aspects of the so-called "consensus" on man-made global warming. These scientists, many of whom are current and former participants in the UN IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), criticized the climate claims made by the UN IPCC and former Vice President Al Gore.

The new report issued by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee’s office of the GOP Ranking Member details the views of the scientists, the overwhelming majority of whom spoke out in 2007.

Even some in the establishment media now appear to be taking notice of the growing number of skeptical scientists. In October, the Washington Post Staff Writer Juliet Eilperin conceded the obvious, writing that climate skeptics "appear to be expanding rather than shrinking." Many scientists from around the world have dubbed 2007 as the year man-made global warming fears “bite the dust.” (LINK) In addition, many scientists who are also progressive environmentalists believe climate fear promotion has "co-opted" the green movement. (LINK)

This blockbuster Senate report lists the scientists by name, country of residence, and academic/institutional affiliation. It also features their own words, biographies, and weblinks to their peer reviewed studies and original source materials as gathered from public statements, various news outlets, and websites in 2007. This new “consensus busters” report is poised to redefine the debate.

Many of the scientists featured in this report consistently stated that numerous colleagues shared their views, but they will not speak out publicly for fear of retribution. Atmospheric scientist Dr. Nathan Paldor, Professor of Dynamical Meteorology and Physical Oceanography at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, author of almost 70 peer-reviewed studies, explains how many of his fellow scientists have been intimidated.

“Many of my colleagues with whom I spoke share these views and report on their inability to publish their skepticism in the scientific or public media,” Paldor wrote.

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

An excellent article by Bob Burney at TownHall makes a very clear point....Hey folks, believe whatever you want to, but don't try to pull the wool over anyone's eyes because you don't feel comfortable with the truth.

An interesting illustration of this has been playing itself out in current political news. In an interview with the New York Times Magazine, presidential candidate Mike Huckabee was questioned about his views of the Mormonism of fellow candidate Mitt Romney. Huckabee said he knew little about Mormonism and wondered out loud to the veteran religion reporter Zev Chafets: “Don’t Mormons believe that Jesus and the devil are brothers?” Well, that’s exactly what they believe! Several news outlets immediately accused Huckabee of attacking Romney’s religion. Blogs went berserk!

How did candidate Romney respond to someone revealing what his church actually believes? He said, “But I think attacking someone’s religion is really going too far. It’s just not the American way, and I think people will reject that,” Romney told NBC’s “Today” show.

How did the LDS Church respond? The Associated Press quoted an official spokeswoman for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that Huckabee’s question is usually raised “by those who wish to smear the Mormon faith rather than clarify doctrine.” She went on to say, “We believe, as other Christians believe and Paul wrote, that God is the father of all … That means that all beings were created by God and are his spirit children. Christ, on the other hand, was the only begotten in the flesh and we worship him as the son of God and the savior of mankind. Satan is the exact opposite of who Christ is and what he stands for.”

She doesn’t deny anything Huckabee said, she is just very deft at using the language of and the association with mainstream Christianity to wrap their unorthodox doctrine in credibility.

Does this have anything to do with Mitt Romney and his qualifications to be president? Everyone will have to decide that in his or her own heart. I just wish the Mormons, including Mitt Romney, would simply be more candid and tell us the straight truth about their religion. Is that too much to ask?

Sunday, December 9, 2007

No, we're not talking about people who think it is God's will for them to strap on a chunk of C-4 and obliterate a busload of innocent travelers. We are talking about people striving to better the lives of fellow human beings. They were operating a Christian publishing house in Turkey when they were brutally executed by having their throats cut.

ANKARA, Turkey - Turkey has launched an investigation into alleged collusion between police officers and at least one of the suspects charged with killing three Christians earlier this year at a publishing house that produces Bibles, an official said Saturday.

Yes the Religion of Peace continues to demonstrate its loving nature. See the original story here

Thursday, December 6, 2007

Now, in the best of all worlds, I don't think religion should have a much to do, if anything, with whether a person is qualified to be POTUS. That said, my thought process and decision making path is going to include all attributes of a person. It is only logical to use any information we have to make a good decision.

Romney made the speach today to help voters feel more comfortable with his avowed religion.

My earlier post on this subject noted my discomfort with someone in such a powerful position who was either deceptive about or ignorant of the historically false, theologically unsound and profoundly anti Christian faith he espouses.

For example, from the speach we see this quote

"I believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God and the savior of mankind," he said. While conceding Mormons have different beliefs about the earthly presence of Jesus Christ, "each religion has its own unique doctrines and history. ... Religious tolerance would be a shallow principle indeed if it were reserved only for faiths with which we agree."

This is typical Mormon double-speak. The Jesus Christ they believe in is an exaulted man made so by his own effort. The same is true of his father, God...Mormons believe he is a man who achieved god-hood by good works.

"While conceding Mormons have different beliefs about the earthly presence of Jesus Christ.." Good grief! There certainly is a difference, like between a rock and a daisy!

"each religion has its own unique doctrines and history" . That's evidently supposed to make us feel OK, since we all believe in the same thing but just have some little niggly differences in doctrine.

Little differences like the pre-existent nature of God, the concept of the Trinity, the inerrancy of the Bible, salvation by faith not works, and other trivial matters.

So why can't we just be clear about this stuff? I don't care if you worship a watermelon, just don't pretend that because you call it Jesus, then you believe the same things I do. I also reserve the right to consider you a crackpot, but treat you fairly in non-theological areas.

Bottom line, if Mitt gets the GOP nomination he will get my vote....because he will be far better than ANY candidate the democrats have.

Saturday, December 1, 2007

In spite of political shenanigans or corporate intrigue, it seems that developing oil and gas production in Alaska is better for Alaskans than not developing it. I really am not up on the fine points of oil production and there are some heated comments at adn.com with the 12/1 article entltled "6 make bids for Alaska gas line."

Whatever the truth of the matter, developing that oil is going to be good for America and good for Alaska. I for one am glad to see it moving ahead. With further research, I might get a little cranky about how it gets done, but that's just how snowmen are.

If you to the website for Council on American-Islamic Relations, you will find a textbook version of quiet deception. Read the page What is Islam? A copy follows with my editorial comments added.

What is Islam?

Islam is not a new religion. It is the same truth that God revealed to all His prophets throughout history. Islam is both a religion and a complete way of life. Muslims follow a religion of peace, mercy and forgiveness that should not be associated with acts of violence against the innocent.

This is of course a lie...To call what is written in the Koran and what is written in the Bible the "same truth" is either a lie, ignorance or insanity.

The "religion of peace" adherants are responsible for nearly 10,000 acts of violence and terror since 9/11. They poured out of mosques in Sudan last Friday calling for the execution of a British teacher who allowed her students to name a teddy-bear Muhammad.

The peaceful verses muslims trot out are those from the Meccan period -- early on in Muhammad's career. One must understand the Islamic principal of abrogation to see how insignificant the verses are in comparison the the atavistic verses of the later Medina period. To quote from Citizen Warrior:

The Quran's commandments to Muslims to wage war in the name of Allah against non-Muslims are unmistakable. They are, furthermore, absolutely authoritative as they were revealed late in the Prophet's career and so cancel and replace earlier instructions to act peaceably.

Without knowledge of the principle of abrogation, Westerners will continue to misread the Quran and misdiagnose Islam as a "religion of peace."

Mercy and forgiveness?? As in "Behead Those Who Insult Islam?" And ask what the word "innocent" defines. For Muslims, innocent people are Muslims practicing their version of Islam. Non-Muslims (kuffar) and other Muslim sects are never innocent and are acceptable objects of dominance or homicide.

Who are Muslims and what do they believe?

There are an estimated 1.2 billion Muslims worldwide. No more than 20 percent of Muslims live in the Arabic-speaking world. The country with the largest Muslim population is Indonesia. Muslims believe in One, Unique, and Incomparable God. They believe in the Day of Judgement and individual accountability for actions. Muslims believe in a chain of prophets beginning with Adam and including Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Job, Moses, David, Solomon, and Jesus. God's eternal message was reaffirmed and finalized by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be on them all). One becomes a Muslim by saying, "There is no deity but God, and Muhammad is the messenger of God." By this declaration, the person announces faith in all of God's messengers.

"They believe in a chain of prophets..." Like many statements by Muslims, you must carefully examine the words to see if we indeed understand what is being said.

1. Just believing the certain people existed means nothing. I believe that Muhammad existed, but I sure as hell don't believe he has anything to do with the God of the Universe, Yahweh.

James 2:19You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

2. Prophets in the Biblical use are men who speak God's words for various reasons and whether or not the list is of true prophets or not...one thing remains clear....Jesus was not a prophet. He said he was God. So you don't get to say he was a prophet or a wise teacher--He was a lunatic, a liar or Lord, and you better choose wisely, my friend.

3. Gods message "was reaffirmed and finalized" by Muhammed. This is a statement I find hard to hear without laughing hysterically. It is like saying that Michael Moore's movie Sicko reaffirmed and finalized the art of tatooing. There is NOTHING remotely similar..except the use of similar names and plagiarized passages.

Certainly, the format, the message, the theology, the character of God, his love for his creation are all exactly opposite - not reaffirmed.

What is the Quran?

The Quran is the record of the exact words revealed by God through the Angel Gabriel to the Prophet Muhammad. It was memorized by Muhammad and then dictated to his companions. The text of the Quran was cross-checked during the life of the Prophet. The 114 chapters of the Quran have remained unchanged through the centuries.

This is a oft-repeated refrain--one that is devoid of truth or even simple logic. I could grant that Muhammad memorized his sayings, but we are putting humans in the loop when he "dictated to his companions." Oops, isn't that one of the biggies for Muslims? Humans wrote the Bible and we can't trust it's authenticity--right? And when was the scrupulously memorized wisdom of the rock god transcribed to a readable format?

{from www.bible.ca/islam}

Contrary to Muslim claims, some verses had not been memorized by everyone: Hadith 511

511. Narrated Zaid bin Thabit: Abu Bakr sent for me and said "you used to write the Divine Revelations for Allah's Apostle (SAW): So you should search for (the Quran and collect) it." I started searching for the Quran till I found the last two Verses of Surat At-Tauba with Abi Khazaima Al-Ansari and I could not find these Verses with anybody other than him. (They were): 'Verily there has come unto you an Apostle (Muhammad (SAW)) from amongst yourselves. It grieves him that you should receive any injury or difficulty. . . (9:128-129) Vol. 6 -Virtues of the Quran - Hadith 511

7. There seems to be a conflict in the claims as to when the Qur'an was collected, and there was not a generally accepted version available: Hadith 525 & 526

525. Narrated Qatada: I asked Anas bin Malik, "Who collected the Quran at the time of the Prophet (SAW)?" He replied, "Four, all of whom were from the Ansar: Ubai bin Kab, Muadh bin Jabal, Zaid bin Thabit and Abu Zaid." Vol. 6 -Virtues of the Quran - Hadith 525

526. Narrated Anas (bin Malik): When the prophet (SAW) died, none had collected the Quran but four persons: Abu Ad-Darda, Muadh bin Jabal, Zaid bin Thabit and Abu Zaid. We were the inheritors (of Abu Zaid) as he had no offspring. Vol. 6 -Virtues of the Quran - Hadith 526

The Quran "remained unchanged through the centuries". Boy is that a whopper...there is voluminous evidence to the contrary see full article.

What are the "Five Pillars" of Islam?

who cares?

What about the American Muslim community?

There are an estimated 7 million Muslims in America. The Muslim community in America is made up of people from a wide variety of ethnic backgrounds and national origins. There are almost 2,000 mosques, Islamic schools and Islamic centers in America. Muslims are active in all walks of life. Islam is one of the fastest growing religions in this country and around the world.

Actually, there are more like 2 million which is less than 1% of our population. Not worthy of swaying the majority rule in my opinion. And Non-Denominational Christians are growing in numbers 10 times faster than Muslims in this country. That's whole point of CAIR--to yell and scream Islamophobia and make press releases and lawsuits substitute for numbers or importance.